Which equipment should be checked before lifting a vehicle?

Before lifting a vehicle, the floor jack is crucial to ensuring safety and effectiveness during the lifting process. Specifically, the floor jack must be in good working condition, mechanically sound, and rated to handle the weight of the vehicle being lifted. A malfunctioning or inadequate floor jack can lead to accidents, including the vehicle slipping or falling during the lift.

While checking the car's engine, tire pressure, and tools in the shop are important maintenance tasks, they are not directly related to the safety and operational integrity of lifting the vehicle itself. The priority must be on the equipment that is directly involved in the lifting process, which makes the floor jack the correct answer in this context.